Month: January 2017

Let’s talk wedding Jewellery

You have got your dress, your venue, your food catered for… and your husband. You’re ready to get married! But wait … what about the jewellery?

Wedding jewellery is a significant part of your dress, your husband’s suit, and your bridesmaids overall look. Although some people go for minimal, and some people go for bling, finding the right wedding jewellery to suit your big day is imperative.

Wedding Rings

The exchanging and wearing of wedding rings dates back a long time – with the first wedding rings believed to have been found in ancient Egypt. Scrolls for example show evidence of wedding rings being used as far back as 6,000 years ago! The significance was that in Egypt the people viewed the circle as a symbol of eternity – so the ring itself signified the never ending love that exists when a couple get married. According to legend as well, Egypt is also where the rings first started to be worn on the ring finger of the left hand with the belief that a special vein in that finger connected directly to the heart.

In Western culture, wedding rings date back to Ancient Rome and Greece while the modern exchange of rings dates to the Middle Age with Christians. In many Western countries it was only in the 20th Century that wedding rings were worn by both husband and wife, being only worn by the woman prior to that.

So when you’re looking to choose a wedding ring, what are the things you need to take into account? Firstly, the style that you want. Back in the 16th and 17th Centuries, women were presented with gimmel rings which had two interlocking bands. Between the engagement and the wedding, the man and woman would wear one part of the ring each – then at the wedding they would be joined together again on the wife’s finger. These days you’re more likely to see both husband and wife with a ring made of white, yellow or rose gold; however silver, platinum, palladium and silicone are becoming more popular. Bands are generally either plan metal, or include various styles of set diamonds – depending on the couple and their choice.

Today you’ll find a broad range of diamond rings available – from channel set diamond wedding rings of all styles and sizes, to bead set diamonds and claw set diamonds. The final decision is definitely something both the bride and the groom want to be involved in.

Pearls

The style of necklace, earrings and bracelet a woman chooses to wear on her wedding day, and that of her bridesmaids, is really a matter of style that suits the wedding itself. However, traditionally pearls are worn. According to history, pearls signify wealth, high social standings and harmony in love. Cleopatra was said to have dissolved a pearl in a glass of wine and drank the wine, claiming to drink “the wealth of an entire country”. For the ancient Greeks, pearls were said to lead to harmony in love and marriage, while in the Reaissance period wearing pearls for your own wedding was a social standard that showed you were from a noble family (lower classes were forbidden from wearing them).

Cufflinks

One of the main traditions for the groom is to wear special cufflinks for the wedding, whether these are cufflinks that have been handed down through generations (which is often the case); the cufflinks of someone who has passed away (such as the groom’s father); or cufflinks that were a gift from the bride, or her own family. Cufflinks are optional, but are a nice gesture to include in the wedding.

While these are some great ideas; in today’s society there are no “rules” as to what people must buy or wear on their wedding day. The most important thing is that you make the day your own – and that you find something that you love yourself. Don’t worries about what other people think? This is YOUR day, so choose the wedding ring style to suit your personality or personal preferences; choose any accessories you like; and simply get out there, take a deep breath, and vow to spend your life with the person you love.